Page 72 of Sweet T

“How did you get hurt?”

“It was late. The buses had already run. So, I hitchhiked.”

“Oh, baby.”

“Yeah, I know. Not the greatest decision.”

“And you’re what, twenty?”

“Twenty-one. Please don’t tell me you’re going to lecture me too.”

Sebastian shook his head. “No. You’re an adult, Evan. Capable of making your own decisions.”

“I never spent a dime of their money on tattoos, Sebastian. I didn’t spend any money on them. I worked there and my friend, Sherri, used me for practice. As long as I could choose the designs, I told her I would be her canvas.”

“Sounds like a pattern.”

“What do you mean?”

“Your parents were using you to fulfill some dream of their own.”

“For sure.”

“And your friend at the tattoo shop was using you to perfect her art.”

“Yeah, but I liked that.”

“Good. But it’s still a pattern. What happened with the guy who picked you up, hitchhiking? Did he take advantage of you?”

“Yeah. It went a little too far.”

“But it was consensual on your part to begin with.”

Evan nodded.

“So, you let him use you in order to get to Atlanta?”

“OK. Now, you’re scaring me.”

Sebastian chuckled. “Don’t be afraid. Before I dropped out of school, I had parents who wanted me to be a psychologist. But I see a lot of compromise on your part. Is that why you’re here now, in Spoon?”

“I have to pay Tucker back. All my money was stolen. I have a hospital bill–”

“Relax, Evan. I’m not judging you. I’m very happy that you’re here. From the looks of it, Tucker is too. I’m just getting to know you a little better.”

“Is this some kind of bonding exercise for the play?”

“Couldn’t hurt. But no, you just remind me a lot of myself when I was your age. So, your plan is to continue to Atlanta after you pay Tucker back?”

“Yeah. That’s the plan.”

“Because you equate Atlanta with more opportunity?”

“Yes. There’s so much more theatre there, Sebastian. And the film industry is huge.”

“I’ve heard. But what is your ultimate goal? Money? Fame?”

Evan thought about it. “Success. Being able to do what I love.”

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